In Love With Birds

Harris Hawk roosting in a mesquite tree at Sweetwater Wetlands

 I walk through this world

Beneath so many trees

Unaware of the birds

Up in the leaves.

Great Blue Heron at Lakeside Park 12-21-12

 Up in the foliage

over my head

While I walk below

They are in bed

Napping adult Black-crowned Night Heron 12-21-2012

 Some tuck their beaks

Under their wings

Some watch me warily

And some just sing!

Vermilion Flycatcher at Lakeside Park 12-21-2012

 Until I discovered

the places they hide,

and the beauty above me

When I am outside!

Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron 12-21-2012

So now when I walk

I look up above

Searching for birds

‘cause I am In Love

With Birds!

~Kathie Adams Brown (January 5, 2013) 

American Kestrel at Lakeside Park 12-21-12

Cassin's Vireo at Sweetwater Wetlands 11-30-2012

While you might have expected all forest birds from the poem above it is interesting to note that even in the desert the birds use the trees! These photos were taken at two of the premiere birding locations in Tucson, AZ when I was out birding with a friend. We all know that birds need trees, but I am always amazed when I find the herons in them! If you have ever come to Tucson I highly recommend Sweetwater Wetlands and Lakeside Park. You can usually see a wide variety of birds species at these locations in a short amount of time, though you can easily spend hours at Sweetwater! (P.S. I couldn't resist adding this Magnolia Warbler photo from Central Park below!)

Magnolia Warbler in Central Park 5-18-2012

I am currently in the middle of a Big January Bird Count with a friend. You can read more about it and see many more pictures on my blog, Kathie's Birds.